Wrapping machine



July 7, 1925.

W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Invaniow VViJZZz'mMVVhe-ihlau W fydim ,(fl

July 7, 1925. 1,545,022

w. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2lave-2x30 7 Jul 7, 1925. 1,545,022

W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Invei a/i o Wax v'aw /Mmeildo n. 71% 5am r44,

July 7, 1925 W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.29. 1923 gifi ys w..... y I

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. M. WHEILDON WRAPPING MACHI Filed Dec. 29 192Patented July 7, 192 5.

UNITED STATES 1,545,022 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. WHEILDON, OF FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD H.ANGIER, 0F FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed December 29, 1923. Serial No. 683,338.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIA-M M. WHEIL- DON,a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of Framingham, county ofMiddlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inWrapping Machines, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters onthe drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to a wrapping mechanism adapted to enclose anarticle with a closely fitting wrapping consisting of a strip or sheetof expansible paper difi'erentially expanded to fit the article. Theinvention finds particular application to the wrapping of annulararticles such as coils of wire, coils of garden hose, tires and thelike, and as I anticipate a major field of usefulness there-for in thewrapping. of pneumatic vehicle tires I have herein shown as an exampleof the invention a machine specifically designed for wrapping such atire and in the course of the following description I will forconvenience refer to the article wrapped as a tire, using that word inan exemplary sense and not intending thereby to limit the scope of theinvention.

The construction and operation of the illustrated form of my inventionmay be readily understood by reference to the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation as seen from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section through the machine withpart broken away and is on a larger scale; I

Fig. 4c is a central longitudinal section through mechanism appearing atthe right of Fig. 1';

Fig. 5 is a perspective of an element hereinafter calledthe mold;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are simplified sections on the correspondinglynumbered lines of Fig. 1 and illustrate theformation of the wrap;

Fig. 11, on a larger scale, is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 1 andillustrates the final position of the wrapping material; and

Fig. 12 is a detail elevation of a paper feeding roll.

The machine herein shown is adapted to enclose a vehicle tire byapplying around the outer circumference thereof a strip of expansiblewrapping material, preferably craped or crinkled paper, of a widthsufiicient to encircle the cross sectional circumference thereof and, inthe present instance, providing additional marginal portions. Thecentral portion of the strip applied along the tread of the tire isstretched out over the tread differentially to expand the crapes orcrinkles sothat the wrapping strip will be cupped around the crosssection of the tire. The expansion will be greatest at the tread, thepoint of maximum circumference, correspondingly less at the shouldersand .less at the sides. The expansion is effected locally in necessaryamount such that the paper fits smoothly to the double curvature of thetire, the resiliency of the crapings tensioning the wrapping. Themargins of the strip are turned inwardly across the beads and may bemanipulated in desired manner. In the present embodiment of theinvention they are tucked in between the beads as illustrated in Fig.11. The ends of the wrapping strip may be sealed together or bound, downin any desired manner. In the present instance this is done after theremoval of the tire from the machine.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 the machine is shown as it wouldappear to the operator standing before the same and inthe followingdescription I shall use the words front and rear. right and left as theywould be used by one having this point of View. In the-embodiment of theinvention shown the mechanism is organized on a standard 15 having inits upper portion left and right lateral extensions 17 and'19, theformer providing a supportfor a bracket 21 on which is mounted anelectric motor 23 and the latter supporting a forwardly projecting frame25 which carries certain paper handling mechanisms hereinafterdescribed. From the base of the machine at the right may rise thebrackets 27 adapted rotatably to support a roll of cra-ped or crinkledpaper P of suitable width. A suitable length of paper is drawn from thisroll in the operation of the machine for each tire wrapped and issevered therefrom. The roll may be of large size and a large number oftires may be wrapped without changing the supply roll.

In the form of the invention shown the ing means for the tire and forthe paper take motion therefrom in the manner hereinafter dtscribed andare constantly driven as long as current is supplied to the motorthrough the switch 31. There is no clutch in the machine in the ordinarysense and the operator does not have to shift clutches and there is nodanger of his wasting power by failing to throw a clutch completely in.I maypoint out here that in th machine shown the mechanisms forsupportmg the tire and for handling the same and the wrapping materialproject forwardly from the main frame-work of the machine, beingoverhung from the standard and are unobstructed on the side nearest theoperatonso that he has convenient access to them to 1nsert and removethe tire and to observe the wrapping operation. This appeals 1n Figs. 2and 3.

I will first describe the mechanism herein shown for supporting androtating the tire and for this purpose I have provided two overhangingconcave rolls 31 and 33 adapted to make contact with the tread of thetire T and partially to fit around the cross section of the same. Theroll 31 is driven by worm 35 on worm shaft 29 meshing with a suitableworm wheel housed at the rear of the machine and roll 33 is driven fromroll 31 by a sprocket drive 36. The central portions of the rolls arealso connected by a belt 37 and the lower run of this belt is presentedin the concavity of the rolls and adapted to make contact with the treadof the tire, thus providing an extended bearing on the tire to drive thesame when roll 31 is driven. During the wrapping operation the tire T issupported with its tread presented to the concavity of these rolls andpressed against the lower run of the belt 37 as illustrated in Fig. 1and for this purpose it is supported from a forwardly projecting bracket39 (see Fig. 3) secured to a slide 41 vertically movable in guideways 43of the standard 15 and balanced by the counter-weight 45 (see Fig. 2)connected thereto by cables 47 passing over suitable guide sheaves 48.

The tire T may be supported on the member 39 by two idler rolls 49adapted to engage the inner periphery of the tire symmetrically onopposite sides of the vertical diameter and in the present embodiment ofthe invention and more particularly for purposes hereinafter to beexplained, these idler rolls 49 are provided with central flanges 51, asbest shown in Figs. 8 and 10, which flanges enter between the beads ofthe tire, which beads rest on the cylindrical surfaces of the wheels onopposite sides of the flange, the tire being maintained in position bythe enga ement of these flanges between the beads. Fetween the two rolls49 there is mounted on the bracket 39 a member 53 shown in detail inFig. 5 and hereinafter more fully to be described which because of ametaphorical similarity to the moldboard of a plow I will termforconvenience a mold.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, the tire is held incontact with the belt 37 extending between the rolls 31 and 33 and withthe flanges of the rolls and is rotated in a counterclockwise directionviewing that figure, turning freely on the rolls 49, and in thisposition of the tire the wrapping takes place. If the slide 41 islowered, the tire is moved away from the driving means and may beremoved from the machine and a new one inserted. The slide 41 is of acrank 55 connected by a long connecting rod 57 to the lower part of theslide. When i the crank is in the upright position shown in Fig. 3, thetire supported on the bracket 39 is in the position shown with its treadpresented to the overhanging rolls 31 and 33. If the crank shaft isturned a half revolution obviously the bracket will reach its lowermostposition.

Suitable means are proigided for turning the crank a half revolution toraise or lower the tire and the mechanism herein shown will be bestunderstood by reference to Figs. 3 and 6. The crank 55 is mounted on acrank shaft 59 journalled in the front plate 61 of a worm wheel casingsecured to the rear of the standard 15 and in a yoke 62 at the back ofthe casing. ()n the loose sleeve 63 encircling the crank shaft is a wormWheel 65 driven by worm .67 on the constantly rotating worm shaft 29. Atthe rear of the worm wheel casing the sleeve 63 carries a ratchet wheel69, best shown in Fig. 6, which likewise will be constantly rotating,and to the rear of this there is keyed to the crank shaft 59 a disc 71to which is connected a pawl 7 3 normally drawn by a spring 75 intocooperation with the ratchet wheel 69. The pawl 73 has a long cam-liketail 77 terminating in a hook-like seat 7 9 adapted to be engaged by oneor another of two pins 81 sliding in the yoke 62 at the rear of themachine and presented at opposite sides of the pawl wheel 69 and disc71, one of these pins normally engaging the hook on the pawl 79 andholding it in the full line position of Fig. 6 so that the ratchet wheel69 will rotate idly without driving the disc 71 and the crank shaft. Ifnow the pins 81 are momentarily withdrawn to the rear, they will releasethe pawl to the action of the spring 75 and the pawl will swing to thedotted line position of Fig. 6 and will .clutch the disc 71 and thecrank shaft to the ratchet wheel 69 and the crank shaft will revolve.If, however,

the pins are immediately released then as the disc 71 rotatescounterclockwise, viewing Fig. 6. the tail 77 of the pawl moving to theleft will encounter the left hand pin 81. the pawl will be cammed out ofcontact with the ratchet wheel and the (lllVlIlg connection broken andthe disc 71 will come to rest as the hook 79 on the pawl seats on theleft hand pin 81. Thus, by momentary movement of the pins 81 the crankshaft can be given a half turn either to raise or lower the tire as thecase may be. If the pins are not momentarily released noharm is done asthe slide carrying the tire will simply reciprocate but it will alwayscome to rest in one of the vertical positlons of the crank. The pins 81may be withdrawn rearwardly by means of fingers 83 engaging notches atthe rear ends of the pins and mounted on a rock shaft 85 suspended atthe rear of yoke 62. By means" of suitable linkages, not necessary todescribe in detail but easy to understand from Fig. 2, the shaft 85 maybe rocked when desired either'by means of the controlling handle 87 atthe upper part of the frame of the machine or by the treadle 89presented at the front of the machine near the base. A weight 90, hereshown as carried on the connecting rod of treadle 89, (Figs. 1 and 2)may servenormally to ma ntain the parts in the position where the pinsare projected forwardly to hold the pawl out.

Referring now to Fig. 1, at the base of the machine beneath theoverhanging tire support there may be provided a concave pan 91 adaptedto receive the lower periphery of the tire and on which 1t may easily belifted or rolled by the operator. The tire support 39 being in loweredposition, the tire is placed upon this pan and the upper portion may bethen swung rearwardly away from the operator and brought to rest abovethe supporting wheels 49. If the handle 87 or treadle 89 is thenmanipulated the crank will make a half turn, the wheels 49 will lift,the flanges 51 thereon will enter between the beads of the tire and thetire will be lifted to the position shown in Fig. 1 and suspended by thewheels 49 in contact with the overhanging rolls 31 and 33 and belt 37and will be rotated on the idler rolls 49 by the action of the wheelsand belt which are constantly driven. By the rotary motion of the tire astrip of paper is drawn into encircling relation about the same and thedriving power is utilized differentially to expand the paper and causeit to fit the cross section of the tire.

To facilitate the further description of the wrapping operation it maybe convenient more or less arbitrarily to divide the operation into aseries of steps which it is possible to consider more or lessseparately.

By this division and classification my intention is merely to promote amore ready understanding of the operation of the particular form ofmachine here shown and it is not my intention in any way to limit the.

scope of the invention to a machine utilizing the same serles of steps.In the form of the invention shown, however, we may say that theWrapping operation comprises; the' trated, the re-folding of these edgesoutwardly and the insertion thereof between the.

tire beads; and finally the pressing down and smoothing out of thewrapping at the beads.

I will next describe the mechanism here shown which may be consideredthat for feeding the paper although, as will appear, this mechanism alsocontributes to the differential expansion of the paper. The mechanismreferred to is perhaps best shown in Fig. 4 and is organized on theoverhung frame 25 at the right of the machine already referred to.Referring to Fig. 4, on this frame 25 there is journalled an upper feedroll 93 which may be continuously driven by means of a chain 95 from asprocket wheel 97 (see Figs. 3 and 1) turning with the worm wheel 65which is constantly driven from the main drive shaft 29. The linearspeed of the roll 93, however, is less than the linear speed of the tireas driven by the rolls 31 and 33 and the belt 37. As seen in Fig. 12,the roll 93 is preferably provided with helical ribs 94, of oppositepitch on opposite ends of the roll, which will serve to keep the paperspread transversely as well as aid in the feeding of the same. Theseribs are conveniently formed of strips of webbing secured to the roll.Cooperating with the driven feed roll 93 is a lower idler roll 99mounted in the arms of a frame 101 pivoted to the sides of the frame 25at 103. As shown in Fig. 1, the rocking of the frame about the center103 may be controlled by a link 105 secured to the crank 107 adapted tobe thrown to one side or the other of dead center by means of thecontrol handle 109 at the top of the machine. 111 near the base of themachine may also be provided by depressing which the rolls may be thrownout from the position of Fig,

1 to stop the paper feed. Springs 113 serve to hold the frame in oneposition or the other. Referring again to Fig. 4, between the arms 101and to the left of the idler A treadle roll 99 there may extend asupport 115 for the paper strip terminating at the left hand edge in anupwardly facing shear blade 117.

The paper P is led from the supply roll over the idler roll 99 and thesupport 115 and may be retained on the former by the pivoted blade 119bearing thereagainst at. an acute angle measured in the counterclockwiredirection and thus serving to hold the paper from slipping to the rightoff the roll 99 while permitting it to be drawn to the left under theblade 119 by the action of the driven feed roll 93 when the roll 99 israised into contact therewith by operation of control handle 109. Onoperation of either control device 109 or 111 the roll 99 and the papermay be dropped away from the constantly driven feed roll 93 and by thisthrow-off means the feed of paper is interrupted. The length of paperrequired for wrapping a tire is severed from the main supply when thefeed is interrupted and this severed length is drawn out around the tireto complete the wrapping. It is apparent from Fig. 4 that as the roll 99is thrown out of action the blade 117 will be raised and in doing so itmay force the paper against cutter blades 121 secured to the cross-barof the frame 25 above the support 115. Preferably there are two of theseblades and, as shown in Fig. 4, they slope upwardly from the front andrear of the machine and thus a shearing cut is made from opposite sidesof the strip of paper toward the middle. The blades 121 are pressed bysprings 123 toward the cooperating blade 117 so that the blades willmeet closely and cut cleanly. A cross-bar 124 extending between the armsof frame 101 overlies the paper adjacent the cutting blades and servesto strip it from blades 121.

From the support 103 the strip of paper is directed to the tire in asubstantially tangential plane through two form members. One is an innerstationary form 125 secured to the web of the frame 25 and, as shown inFig. 1, extending nearly to the tire. This form is substantially flat atits right hand side and is gradually curved, as indicated in Fig. 7, tothe approximate section of the tire. This curvature permits the paper tocup under the differential stretching thereof and aids in controllingthe amount of such cupping so that it will be fed accurately to andabout the sides of the tire. Cooperating g with the form 125 is anotherouter form 127,

and 131 to an arm of a bell crank lever 133 connected by link 135 to aportion of the tire support herein (see Fig. 3) the mold 53. As isapparent from Fig. 1, as the tire is lifted by the support the bellcrank lever will be rocked to lower the upper form into cooperation withthe tire. The arrangement of the blocks 129 and 131, while providing aflexible connection permitting this rockmg, provides for supporting theform 127 in its downward position as seen in Fig. 1, but this supportmay be a yielding one b in the lower block 129 springs 137 resilientlypressing the form 127. vPins 139 connect block 129 to form 127 andprovide for u ward motion of the latter relatively to t e former againstthe force of the springs.

J ournalled at the top of the form 127 is a pair of idle pulleys 141between which is stretched a belt 143 having the inner run thereofextending at the interior of the form 127 and adapted, as best shown inFig. 1, to make contact with the tread of the tire and to be driventhereby. This belt is of relatively narrow width and engages and clampsthe strip of paper to the tire along the tread thereof. The tire thustends to pull along the paper at the same linear speed as that at whichit is driven which, it will be remembered, is greater than the linearspeed ofthe feed roll 93. This belt in cooperation with the retardingfeed couple, which thus has the action of a brake or tension, tends tostretch out the central portion of the paper. This in turn tends to makethe strip of paper cup transversely and as this tendency is manifestedbetween the two mold members 125 and 127, this cupping is downward asshown in Fig. 7 under the control of these members and as the paper isdrawn into cupped form, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the amount ofthis cupping is controlled by the forms so that as the paper isdelivered from the same it approximately fits the cross sectional formof the tire and to which it is fitted still more closely as it isfurther tensioned and it is delivered with the edges or providingmarginal portions presented for the action of the mold 53 thereon ashereinafter explained. It will be noted that in the action of the devicethe tread of the tire is pressed up against the middle portion of thestrip of paper and stretches the same out and by its pressurethereagainst differentially expands the strip to fit it about, the tire.

I will next describe the mechanism whereby the edges of the paper stripare folded transversely inwardly across the inner circumference of thetire. In the present instance they are also turned outwardly and tuckedbetween the beads of the tire. As is seen from Fig. 8, since the righthand supporting roll 59 engages the tire by means of the central flangeentering between the beads thereof, it leaves the sides of the tireunobstrurtcd for the strip of paper P to fold around and at a furtherpoint than illustrated in Fig. 8 the strip is so expanded and cupped astofit. closely the tire from tread to beads. As the strip travels withthe tire the edges of the strip are then brought into cooperation withthe curved surfaces 145 of the mold 53 (see Fig. 5). I have alreadystated that I term this device a mold from the metaphorical similarityto the moldboard of a plow and these surfaces 145 gradually decrease incurvature and act in the manner of the mold-board of a plow or thehemmer of a sewing machine to gradually curl or fold over the edges ofthe strip of paper which are brought in contact therewith, this actionalso aiding in pulling the paper smoothly overthe sides of the tire. Inthe present embodiment of the invention the surfaces 145 merge togetherin a central tongue 147 adapted to project between the beads of thetire, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9. The edges of the paper will begradually curved or directed inwardly to-.

ward each other and then outwardly along the sides of this rib 49between the beads of the tire which are held spaced apart by the rib 51of the right hand roll and they will be thus tucked in between the beadsin the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. This action takes placeprogressively as the tire rotates. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the

wrapped portion of the tire then passes into til) between the beads.

cooperation with the left hand roll 49 and this provides means forironing out and creasing the fold of the wrapping around the tire beads,this being effected in the present instance by the lateral cylindricalfaces of the roll and the central rib 51.

By omitting the central tongue 147 and the curves leading to it and byutilizing a paper of the proper width, the two edges of the paper maysimply be folded over toward each other instead of being inserted Thismight be done where it is desired to apply a sealing strip or, byvarying the curves on opposite sides one edge of the paper may be foldedin first and the other made to overlap the same.

' In these instances the left hand roll 49, in-

stead of being provided with a central flange 51, would be of channelform and the base and flanges of this channel would serve to crease andiron out the wrapping around the beads.

The operation of the machine i'nay be briefly recapitulated as follows.Referring to Fig. 1, the motor 23 is running, the rolls 31 and 33 arebeing driven and also the feed roll 93. The tire support on its slide 41is lowered from the position shown in Fig. 1 and the rolls 31 and 33rotate idly. The feed roll 99 is also separated fromthe driven feed roll93 which likewise rotates idly. The paper is held over the roll 99 byblade 119 (Fig. 4) and the end thereof is disposed at or adjacent thelocation of the shear blades 117 and 121.

The operator places a tire on the pan 91 and swinging the upper portionaway from him brings it to rest over the supporting rolls 49 and theintervening mold 53. The operator now either pulls the handle 87 ordepresses the treadle 89 and immediately releases them. This clutchesthe crank shaft 59 to the ratchet wheel 69, the crank makes a halfrevolution and the the support rises vertically, lifting the tire to theposition shown in Fig. 1. It immediately begins to revolve driven by thebelt 37. As the tire support rises the bell crank lever 133 is rocked bythe link 135, the mold 137 is lowered into cooperation with the tire andthe belt 143 comes into contact with the tread of the tire and begins tomove, driven by the tire. The operator then throws handle 109 to' theright. This, as best seen from Fig. 4, rocks the frame 101 about center103, lowers blade 117 away from blade 121 providing an open passage forthe paper and lifts roll 99, over which the paper extends, into contactwith the driven roll 93. The paper therefore begins to feed forwardbetween the two forms until it is caught between the revolving tire andthe belt 143 and is clamped to the former by the latter. Since thelinear speed of the tire is greater than the speed of the feed roll 93,the tire immediately commences to pull on the central zone of the paperand differentially to expand the resilient emboss ments. At the sametime it is drawing the paper around its circumference and, as it were,rolling into the same fitting the paper around the peripheralcircumference of the tire and shaping the paper about itself. Thetension on the central zone of the paper strip tends to cup the striptransversely but under control of the forms 125 and 127 the edges turndownwardly rather than upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and as thedraft on the paper continues it gradually shapes to the cross sectionalform of the tire, as shown in Fig. 8. The portion of the tire having thepaper about the same is advanced to the mold 53 between the supportingrolls and this serves, as shown in Fig. 9, to draw the paper over thesides of the tire and turn the margins in across the inner circumferenceof the tire and, in the particular form shown, to fold them outwardlyand insert them between the beads. These folded portions then pass overthe left hand roll 49 which irons out and creases the fold asillustrated in Fig. 10. As the portion of the tire passes off the rollsthe beads spring together and the wrapping appears crosssectionallysubstantially as shown in Fig. 11. This wrapping and shaping of thewrapping about the tire proceeds as the tire revolves. As the forwardend comes up on the operators right, that is, when a major portion ofthe tire has been wrapped he throws the handle 109 or presses on thetreadle 111. This works the throw-out means for the paper feed,drop-ping roll 99 and the paper away from driven roll 93 and at the sametime closes the shear blades to cut off the paper at the right hand endof the form 125. The feed of the main supply of paper stops but the endportion of the severed strip continues to be drawn forward and fittedabout the tire. When this end portion has passed the left hand roll thehandle 87 or treadle 89 may be utilized to drop the entire support andmove the tire away from the driven belt 37 and rolls 31 and 33 fromwhich it takes its motion. The wrapped tire is lowered to the pan 91,ceases to move and may be removed by the operator. The ends of the wrapmay be sealed down or secured in any desired manner.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that a large unobstructed place is providedat the interior of the tire and this affords ample room for theattachment of auxiliary mechanisms, as, for example, mechanisms to applya circumferential sealing strip. A suitable method of sealing thepackage would be to apply a strip circumferentially along the beads withthe inner face coated with adhesive, preferably with sorhesuch adhesiveas pitch which would congeafrather than dry, and to fold the edges ofthe paper over on this strip. For this purpose a roll of straw-boardstrip might conveniently be provided mounted on a suitable supportattached to the slide 41. Suitable feed rolls and severing means wouldbe provided for the strip with throw-off means similar to the mechanismutilized for feeding in the paper as seen in Fig. 4 and the severingmeans would be operated in timed relation with .the severing means forthe paper strip conveniently by a suitable mechanical connection. Apitch-pot, which might be provided with an electric heater, would beprovided with a roll, which might serve also as a feed roll, forapplying the pitch to the board as it was fed. The end of the strip ofboard could be fed upwardly through a suitable opening in the mold 53into contact with the beads of the tire with the pitch smeared facefacing downwardly or toward the center of the tire. The curved surfacesof the mold would act to fold the edges of the paper in over this pitchsmeared face against which they would be pressed by the left handsupporting roll, then in channel form as already explained, and to whichthey would adhere as the pitch set or congealed.

I have described in detail the particular embodiment of my inventionshown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. It will beunderstood that the particular mechanism shown is merely an example andthe detailed character of the description has had for its purpose theclear explanation of this particular embodiment. The principles of theinvention might be embodied in many different forms and what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent I shall express in thefollowing claims.

Claims:

1. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article,means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumferenceof the same and tensioning means for the strip cooperating with saidwinding means to differentially expand the strip to fit the article.

2. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article,means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumferenceof the same, tensioning means for the strip whereby it may bedifferentially expanded to fit the article and cooperating means forfolding transversely the edge of the expanded strip.

3. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting the article,means for winding an expansible wrapping strip around the circumferenceof the same, tensioning means for the strip whereby it may bedifferentially expanded to fit the article and cooperating meanscomprising a molding surface adjacent the article for foldingtransversely an edge of the expanded strip.

4. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotatingthe article to be wrapped, means for delivering a strip of expansiblepaper thereto to encircle the same and means for differentiallyexpanding the paper as it passes to the article to cup it to the form ofthe article.

5. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotatingthe article to be wrapped, means for delivering a strip of expansiblepaper thereto to encircle the same, means for extending the central zoneof the paper and cooperating guide means controlling the direction inwhich the paper will cup.

6. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotatingthe tire and means through which a strip of expansible paper is led tothe tire substantially in a tangent plane, said means providing aresistance to the drawing out of the paper when engaged with the tirewhereby the moving tire may tensionand differentially expand the paperto fit the latter about the tire.

7. In a wrapping machine as described means for supporting and rotatingthe tire, means through which a strip of expansible paper is led to thetire substantially in a tangent plane,said means providing a resistanceto the drawingout of the paper when engaged with the tire whereby themoving lll tire may tension and differentially expand the paper to fitthe latter about the tire and a molding surface adjacent the bead of thetire to which an edge of the expanded strip is advanced and serving tofold the same transversely.

8. A wrapping machine comprising means for supporting and rotating thearticle to be wrapped, feed rolls for delivering an expansible stripthereto at lower speed and means for clamping a port-ion of the width ofthe strip to the article whereby the same will be laterally extended.

9. A Wrapping machine comprising means for feeding a strip of expansiblepaper, a form past which the paper is advanced gradually adapted to thesection of the article to be wrapped and faster running means acting ona limited zone of the paper differentially to extend it over the form.

10. A wrapping machine comprising means for feeding a strip ofexpansible paper, a form past which the paper is advanced graduallyadapted to the section of the article to be wrapped and faster runningmeans including an element cooperating with the article to be wrappedacting on a limited zone of the paper differentially to extend it overthe form.

11. A wrapping machine of the class described comprising cooperatingmeans for encircling the article with a strip of expansible wrappingmaterial and for exerting a localized tension. thereon differentially toexpand the same. c

12. In a wrapping machine of the class described means to deliverexpansible wrapping material to the article and cooperating means actingocally on the material to ex- I tend the same diifere-ntially.

i 13. A wrappmg machine comprising means for supporting and rotating thearticle to be wrapped. means for clamping a portion of expansiblewrapping strip thereto and means resisting the feed of said wrapping bythe article whereby it will be extended in the zonewhere clamped.

14. A wrapping machine of the class described comprising -in combinationwith means for holding and guiding an expansible wrapping strip meansfor driving the article in contact therewith whereby through itspressure thereagainst-it will differentially expand the strip to fit thesame about the contours of the article.

15. A machine for wrapping a toric article comprising in combinationmeans for holding and guiding an expansible strip, means for driving thearticle in contact therewith differentially to expand the strip to fitit transversely about the article and cooperating means for folding anedge of the 'expanded strip transversely across a circumference of thearticle.

16. A machine for wrapping an article with a peripherally appliedexpansible strip comprislng means for supporting the article,

means for clamping the end of the strip thereto, tensioning means forthe strip and means for wrapping the strip about the periphery of thearticle against the resist-- ance of the tensioning means whereby thearticle will press against the strip differentially to expand the sameto fit transversely about the article. 7

17. In a machine for wrapping annuli in combination with means forrotating the annulus, means for leading a strip of expanmeans forapplying a retarding tension thereon throughout its width in combinationwith means for controlling the amount of cupping effected thereby.

20. In a machine for wrapping annuli an overhung couple for engaging androtatingthe tire and having suitable throwoff means, means for leadingpaper from one side to the annulus and an overhung folding mechanism tofold the paper transversely about the annulus.

21. Ina machine for wrapping annuli an overhung couple for engaging androtating the tire and having suitable throw-oil" means, controllablemeans for feeding paper forwardly from one side into cooperation withthe annulus and an overhung folding mechanism to fold the papertransversely aboutthe annulus.

22. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for applying anencircling wrapping stripv about the tread and sides of the tire, meansfor infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprising a moldsurface presented adjacent the bead.

23. In a tire wrapping machine in. combination with means for applyingan encircling wrapping strip about the tread and sides of the tire,means for infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprisinga mold surface pres nted adjacentthe bead and means for pressing thefold comprising a roller adapted to support the tire in the machine.

24. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for applying anencircling'wrapping strip about the tread and III sides of the tire,means for infolding an edge of the strip over the tire beads comprisinga mold surface presented adjacent the bead and a presser for the foldbearing on the bead.

25. In a tire wrapping machine the mecha: nism for folding the wrappingat. the inner circumference of the tire comprising a pair of rolls onwhich the tire rests and a mold surface presented adjacent the beadbetween the rolls to inturn the edge of the wrapping over the beadbetween the rolls.

26. In a tire wrapping machine the mechanism for folding the wrapping atthe inner circumference of the tire comprising a pair of rolls on whichthe tire rests, the leading roll having a support to enter between andspace the tire beads, and a mold surface presented adjacent the beadbetween the rolls to inturn the edge of the wrapping over the beadbetween the rolls, said surface being shaped to direct the inturningedge upwardly between the beads.

27. In a tire wrapping machine means for supporting the tire comprisinga roll fitting the i bead side thereof, means to apply a wrapping aboutthe tread and sides of the tire, means acting in advance of said roll tofold the wrapping inwardly at the bead, said roll adapted to crease andiron out the fold.

28. In a tire wrapping machine in combination with means for rotatingthe tire, a device entering between the beads to spread the same, meansto apply a wrapping bent about the tread and sides of the tire and meansfor infolding the margins of the wrapping into the space between thebeads.

29. In a tire Wrapping machine in combination with means for rotatingthe tire, a device entering between the beads to spread the same, meansto apply a wrapping bent about the tread and sides of the tire and meansfor infolding the margins of the wrapping into the space between thebeads comprising mold surfaces of progressively varying curvaturepresented adjacent the sides of the tire and having recurved terminalportions presented between the beads.

30. In a tire wrapping machine, in combination, a pair of rolls engagingthe interior means for elevating the support to bring the annulus intocooperation with said driven member and to lower the same and controlmeans for effecting half revolutions of said crank means at desiredtimes.

32. A machine as defined in claim 31 wherein said driven member andsupporting means are overhung to facilitate the intro-- duction of theannulus from the side.

33. In a wrapping machine in combination with supporting means alongwhich the article moves, means for applying a wrapping bent transverselyover the top and sides of the article and means for infolding the edgeof the wrapping at the bottom comprising a surface of progressivelyvarying curvature adjacent the article and'adapted to engage the marginof the wrapping.

34. In a wrapping machine in combination with a supporting means fittinga portion of the article and over which the article moves, means forapplying a wrapping bent transversely over the top and sides of thearticle, a device for infolding the edge of the wrap-ping at the bottompresented adjacent the side of the article to cooperate with the marginof the wrapping, the passage of the article and wrapping over saidsupporting means serving to consolidate the fold.

35. A wrapping machine of the class described including a carriage forsupporting a tire by engagement with its inner circumference, feed rollsto cooperate with the tire tread, slower feed rolls to deliver a stripof wrapping materirl to the tread of the tire, a surface over which thestrip is delivered gradually curved to the section of the tire, meansfor holding the central portion of the strip against the tire to beextended by the movement thereof and mold surfaces on the carriage toinfold the edges of the strip at the beads of the tire.

36. A wrapping machine of the class described including a carriage forsupporting ,a tire by engagement with'its inner circumference andincluding a member entering between the beads thereof to spread thesame, feed rolls to cooperate with the tire tread, slower feed rolls todeliver a strip of wrapping material to the tread of the tire, a surfaceover which the strip is delivered gradually curved to the section of thetire, means for holding the central portion of the strip against thetire to be extended by the movement thereof and mold-surfaces on thecarriage shaped to infold the edges of the strip over and between thebeads of the tire.

37. In a machine for wrapping a toric article means for supporting andrevolving the article, a form over which an expansible Wrapping strip isdelivered to the article having a delivery end approximating the sectionthereof and differentially driven means for shaping the strip to theform.

38. In a machine for wrapping a toric article means for supportin andrevolving the article, a form over w ich an expansible wrapping strip isdelivered to the article having a delivery end approximating the sectionthereof, difierentially driven means for shaping the strip to the formand a devlce resented adjacent the article for folding inwardly over acircumference of the article an edge of the shaped strip.

39. In a machine for encircling an article with an expansible wrappingstrip, means for supporting and rot-atlng the article to draw the stripthereabout, a form over which the strip passes to the article and meansfor tensioning the strip to shape it over the form by differentialexpansion.

40. In a machine for encircling an artlcle with an expansible wrappingstrip, means for supporting and rotatin the art1cle t0 draw the stripthereabout, a orm over Wl'llCh the strip passes to the article, meansfor tensioning the strip to shape it over the form by differentialexpansion and a devrce presented adjacent the article for fold1ng1nwardly over a circumference of the article an edge of the shapedstrip.

41. In a machine for wrapping a tone article means to deliver a paperstrip 1n a plane substantially tangent to the periphery of the article,a form through wlnch the strip passes of progressively varylng sectionand adapted at its further end partly to embrace the article and meanfor folding the margins of the strip as delivered from the form.

42. In a wrapping machine means for rotating an article, an elementpressing thereagainst, means for supporting the end of a wrapping stripin a plane substantially tangent to the article and feed means foradvancing the strip to the bite between the article and said element.

43. A wrapping machine comprising means, for differentially tensioningan ex pansible strip to cup it about an article and mold surfaces forengaging the edges of the cupped strip to fold the same.

44. In a machine of the class described constantly driven. feed rolls,an overhung support to receive the article to be wrapped and means forbringing the article on the sup ort into and out of engagement with sa1rolls.

45. In a machine of the class described constantly driven feed rolls, anoverhung support to receive the article to be wrapped and ower meanscontrolled by an operating handle for bringing the article on thesuppollitB into and out of engagement with said ro Y 46. In a machine ofthe class described means for supportin and rotating the article to bewrappe means including a shiftable constantly driven roll for advancingwrapping material thereto, a shiftable device for holdin the material tothe article and a control andle to shift said roll and said device toand from operative position.

47. In a machine of the class described means for delivering a striptoward an article comprising feed rolls, a cutter for the strip, meansfor wrapping the strip about the article and throw-off means for thefeed rolls adapted to actuate the cutter to sever the strip when thefeed is interrupted.

48. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feedingthe article comprisin a driven and an idle member, a separa le couplefor feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idlemember, said couples havin different speeds and throw-ofi' means for t ecou les.

49. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feedingthe article comprising a driven and an idle member, a

separable couple for feeding the wrap ing strip likewise comprising adriven an an idle member, said couples having different speed, throw-offmeans for the couples and means to hold a portion of the strip to thearticle to be moved therewith, said means adapted to contact with thearticle when and only when the elements of one of said couples arebrought together.

50. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feedingthe article comprising a driven and an idle member, a separable couplefor feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idlemember, throw-01f mean for the couples repectively and a cutter forseverin the strip operating when the elements 0 said strip-feedingcouple separate.

51. In a machine of the class described a separable couple for feedingthe article comrising a driven and an idle member, a separable couplefor feeding the wrapping strip likewise comprising a driven and an idlemember, throw-off means for the couples respectively, means to hold aportion of the strip to the article to be moved therewith, said meansadapted to contact with the article when and only when the elements ofone of said couples are brought together, and a cutter for severing thestrip operating when the elements of said strip-feeding couple separate.

52. The work rotating mechanism comprising a verticall shiftable memberhaving means for rotatab y supporting the work by underriding engagementtherewith, and a driver resented tothe exterior circumference,sh1ftingof said member to raised posimay rotate, said support adapted tobemovedplane and comprising a support at one side 10 to present the perip cryof the work to said of the plane an devices cooperating with the driver,a shifting mechanism for said suptire overhung from the sup ort wherebythe port, a driver for said mechanism taking motire may be lntroduced tot e machine by a 5 tion from the shaft and control means for movementtransverse to the lane.

connecting said driver to said mechanism for In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my 1 a predetermined movement. name to this specification.

54. A tire handling machine adapted to receive and support the tire in avertical WILLIAM M. WHEILDON.

